Gemotions

The buffet line felt like a gauntlet. He kept his eyes averted, focusing on the canapés, the tiny sandwiches. Anything to avoid the inevitable. He’d known she'd be here. He had hoped they wouldn't cross paths. The universe, it seemed, had other plans.

He bumped into someone. He mumbled an apology, but it was too late. He looked up. She was standing there, a polite smile on her face. His breath hitched. He found himself searching for an escape route, but there was nowhere to go. He felt a sudden, profound sense of being utterly trapped. His palms were slick.